India survive Japan scare after disputed final-over decision
India defeated Japan by two runs in a rain-shortened T20 match in Sano, after umpires overturned a wide call following protests from India’s captain and bowler.
India defeated Japan 32–30 in a five-overs-per-side T20 match in Sano, Japan, after a disputed umpiring decision shaped the final over.
India made 32–4, with captain Shreyas Iyer scoring 16 from 12 balls. Japan’s chase reached 30–3, with captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming making 12.
The controversy came when Axar Patel returned to bowl the final over. With Japan needing eight runs, a delivery was signalled wide, but the call was overturned after protests from Iyer and Patel. The reversal denied Japan an extra run and delivery.
The umpires did not initiate a formal review or provide an explanation for changing the decision. Japan scored three singles from the remaining deliveries and finished two runs short.
Cricket journalists, experts and fans criticised the decision. Ben Gardner of Wisden described it as “disgraceful” and alleged on social media that India had bullied the umpires, while some Indian supporters also questioned the reversal. Those claims remain commentary rather than an established finding.
The match was Japan’s first against an International Cricket Council full member and a top-ranked T20 side. The Japan Cricket Association secured the fixture after diplomatic and corporate efforts, as part of broader attempts to establish cricket in a country with about 7,300 registered players and 16 grounds.
